Page 23 of Fake Dating My Valentine

Probably too much.

Chapter 13

Torey

“The winner,” Sheriff Cook began with a teasing expression on his rugged face. Who knew the famously gruff lawman had such a flair for showmanship? “Based on the show they put on, it’s no surprise they brought in the biggest haul for tonight’s event, all of which will go to the Holiday Grove Shelter for Women & Children.” He looked at the couples on his left and then his right, smile growing wider by the second. “Torey and Ryan, congratulations!”

That was my cue to put on my game face, and that’s just what I did when I turned to Ryan and looked up at him with my most loving expression as I pressed myself against him and hugged him tight. Ryan groaned in my ear and hugged me back. “Congratulations, sweetheart.” His sexy little drawl was irresistible.

“Right back ‘atcha, soldier.” I winked and attempted to free myself from his hold, but Ryan was a lot stronger than me and dipped me over his forearm, kissing me once more as the crowd went wild. “Ryan,” I growled under my breath when we separated.

His green eyes sparkled with mischief. “Let’s go see how much we earned for the shelter.”

The shelter. Right. That’s the reason we were here and putting on a show for the good folks of Holiday Grove. “Well Sheriff, what’s the pot?”

A smile split his face as he said a number that was enough to make everybody inside the community center gasp. “No way.”

“Believe it,” the Sheriff said with a giant smile. “And don’t forget that the town is going to double your donation amount.” He went down the rest of the amounts raised by each couple before he thanked the participants and the drinkers. “Get a designated driver or walk, or else you’ll be seeing my pretty mug before you get home. Good night!”

As soon as the crowd turned towards the exits, I grabbed my jacket from behind the bar and rushed off the stage. I was feeling a bit tipsy from too many cocktails, but they were so good. I was a little unsteady, but my house was just a few blocks away, and the cool night air would sober me up within a block or two.

“Torey, wait up!” Ryan’s voice was entirely too close, and I tried to pick up my speed, but between the alcohol and the stilettos, I wasn’t moving as fast as I wanted to, and his long legs caught up to me easily. “Torey.”

“Oh, hey Ryan.” I tried for nonchalant but even to my own ears, it sounded weird.

His lips twitched. “Hey Torey. What’s up?” He was much better at nonchalant than I was.

“Not much, just enjoying the walk home.” I stopped and turned to him. “Your house is in the opposite direction.”

“I’m aware.” That hint of a smile never left his face, and yeah, it was a beautiful face, which was annoying. It also felt as if he was laughing at me. “Thought I’d walk you home.”

“Oh. No thanks. I’ve made this walk thousands of times on my own. Holiday Grove is mostly safe, and I can take care of myself.” I turned forward and started walking again.

“Still, I’ll just walk next to you and make sure you get home safely. You did have quite a few of those cocktails.”

I shrugged off those words. “Good job, doing the research on cocktails. It saved us.” I was grateful and hopeful that our little show tonight would guarantee that the Matchmaking Brigade would leave us alone for a good long while.

“Thanks.”

“We have two more events. Are you a secret crooner as well?” I slid a gaze in his direction since the stubborn man refused to let me walk home in peace.

“No, but I can rap like nobody’s business.”

His words or maybe it was his deadpan delivery yanked a surprise laugh out of me. “You’re joking.”

His auburn brows dipped into a low vee. “I am not. Whenever we go on leave together, one of the things we like to do is get drunk and do karaoke in a foreign city. Nothing loosens us up quicker.”

My smile came instantly. “That’s a great way to relax after your missions, I’m sure.”

He stopped, brows raised as he stared at me. “That’s exactly it.”

“You seem surprised.”

He shrugged as we started walking again. “Most people want to know about the action, or they assume we enjoy it.”

I arched a brow. “You don’t?”

His lips pulled into a crooked grin. “I mean, the adrenaline rush is there because of the danger, and there’s a certain thrill to knowing that I have the skills to get in and out mostly unscathed, but it’s not joy. People die.”

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